Wading through the sea of Print-on-Demand titles, one overpriced paperback at a time--and giving you the buried treasure.

Monday, November 14, 2005

A TEST OF SURVIVAL by Marnie Schulenburg (iUniverse)

What if you could cure cancer? Would you be embraced and heralded before the entire world?You'd think so.

But such is not the case in Marnie Schulenburg's A TEST OF SURVIVAL. Here we go deep into the world of cancer research (Ms. Schulenburg has the background, and this novel is based on various real events) to learn of how--and why--some people would do anything to keep the world of cancer treatment (chemotherapy, etc.) exactly the way it is.If you're a fan of the classic thriller, you have found a home--and a unique one. The writing is perfectly paced, carefully thought-out, and well-edited, with all the bells and whistles of Barnes & Noble front-table seller--and best of all, it's an intriguing idea!And expect to learn something. The book is chunky, the way a thriller should be, and what Tom Clancy did for naval intelligence and submarine design/functionality in THE HUNT FOR READ OCTOBER, Marnie Schulenburg does for cancer research in A TEST OF SURVIVAL. In fact, change the title to TUMOR and you've got a Robin Cook novel, except for one thing: Ms. Schulenburg weaves a fresher story than Mr. Cook.

Though at the higher end of the POD price range ($21.95--still a distance from PA pricing), it is worth every penny. A keeper. And when this title goes the traditional route (or Hollywood) you'll be glad you got an early copy.

Who I am . . .

About Me

I am an author and instructor, in that order (for now.) My debut novel (which debuted in the midlist) was released by Penguin Putnam in 2004 and my second novel was released early 2006.
As for this blog, it has been profiled in many online magazines, blogs and news stories, including the Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, the Boston Globe, the Dallas Morning News, the LA Times and Publishers Lunch.

Why am I doing this . . .

The 2006 Needles . . .

The 2005 Needles . . .

Attention POD authors . . .

Attention publicists . . .

To answer the deluge of questions I have been receiving from publicists: I'll review pretty much anything that is good--but it better be good, or I'll never look at another one of your books again. Then I'll hunt you down. Fiction preferred (no fantasy or young adult, go easy on the science fiction.) Non-fiction should be memoir, humor, self-help. Definite no-nos: cookbooks, textbooks, porn, books without verbs. And it must be POD (no small presses.) Otherwise, email with pitch first.